Mr. Tom Emberton

Vice Chairman

Biography

Thomas Dale "Tom" Emberton, Sr., is a retired Kentucky politician and judge. Judge Emberton was born in Monroe County, Kentucky, in 1932.

Following a four year tour of duty with the United States Air Force, he attended Western Kentucky University and in 1962 graduated from the University of Louisville Law School. He has served on various boards and commissions related primarily to the legal profession, higher education, and government.

In the Kentucky governorship election in 1971, he was backed by term-limited Governor Louie B. Nunn. Emberton lost to the Democratic Lieutenant Governor Wendell H. Ford, later a U.S. senator. Prior to his gubernatorial candidacy, Emberton served as a member of the Public Service Commission in the Nunn administration.

In 1987, Democratic Governor Wallace Wilkinson appointed Emberton to fill a vacancy on the Kentucky Court of Appeals. He was elevated to Chief Judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 2002. He held that position until his retirement in 2004.

Judge Emberton is married to the former Julia Lee Crutchfield and resides in Edmonton, Kentucky. He and Julia have two children, Laura Owens and Tom, Jr.